Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Bangwe All Stars have a date with destiny when they face-off in the Airtel Top 8 quarterfinals second leg at Mpira Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Nomads head into the second leg with an advantage having won 1-0 in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium a fortnight ago and they just need a draw to progress to the semi-final
However, Bangwe need a 2-0 victory to overturn the tie. They can force the game into straight penalty shootouts with a 1-0 victory Saturday afternoon.
The two sides are enjoying a rich vein of form in the league.
Stars head into the match on the back of a two-match unbeaten streak for the first time this season having beaten FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0 and Baka City 3-0 in the league matches.
Bangwe are a changed side under coach Trevor Kajawa and Saturday afternoon, they will hope to cause a major upset in this year’s competition.
On the other hand, Wanderers will be looking to keep their treble dream alive this season.
The Nomads will hope to maintain their dominance over Bangwe in all competitions, having beaten their opponents in three matches out of four games.
Last season, Wanderers defeated Bangwe 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium before a 3-0 victory at Mpira Stadium in the league. However, they shared the spoils in the league after a goal-less stalemate this season.
Kajawa said the battle was not over yet.
“It will be a very difficult game. We have to use home ground advantage. Morale is high in our camp. We are going as underdogs but in cup games, anything can happen,” Kajawa said.
Kajawa will put his hopes on Clever Chikwata, Innocent Msowoya and Richard Rapson.
Wanderers Coach Meck Mwase has told his boys to exercise caution.
“The boys are determined to do the job. It is a tricky match so we need to up our game,” Mwase said.
Isaac Kaliati, Sama Tanjong and Gaddie Chirwa are carrying Wanderers’ hope.
The winners between Bangwe and Wanderers will face either Silver Strikers in the semi-finals, who face-off at Dedza Stadium in the second leg match at Dedza Stadium Sunday.
Silver are one leg into the semi-finals after thumping Dedza 4-1 at Silver Stadium last week.
The semi-finals list will be completed next month as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will f ace Civil Service United at Civo Stadium whereas Kamuzu Barracks will face Chitipa United at the same venue.
Bullets beat Civil 2-0 in the first leg whereas Chitipa also defeated KB by the same margin.
The winners between Bullets and Civil will face either KB or Chitipa in the semi-finals. The semi-finals will be played between October 26 and 27 at venues yet to be announced.
Final is scheduled for November 3.
Sponsored to the tune of K180 million, the champions will pocket K30 million plus a trophy whereas the runners-up will get K10 million.
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